Power storage adapter for peak shift operation with a portable information handling system

Abstract

A power storage adapter may use a peak shift operation method when supplying electrical power from an ac line power source to a portable information handling system and the power storage adapter receives an indication of a peak shift associated with the ac line power source. In particular, the power storage adapter may cease drawing power from the ac line power source and begin supplying electrical power from a battery included with the power storage adapter to the portable information handling system.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems and, more particularly, to a power storage adapter for peak shift operation with a portable information handling system.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

Examples of information handling systems include portable devices such as notebook computers, media players, personal data assistants, digital cameras, cellular phones, cordless phones, smart phones, tablet computers, and 2-in-1 tablet-laptop combination computers. A portable device may generally be any device that a user may carry for handheld use and that includes a processor. Typically, portable devices are powered using a rechargeable battery and include a display device.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a disclosed power storage adapter (PSA) may include a PSA port and a PSA battery. The PSA may also include a PSA controller having access to memory media storing instructions executable by the PSA controller to receive an indication of a peak shift associated with an alternating current (AC) line power source, the indication specifying that the power storage adapter may cease drawing electrical power from the AC line power source. The PSA may further include instructions executable by the PSA controller to determine that a state of charge (SOC) of the PSA battery is greater than a recharging state of charge. The PSA may also include instructions executable by the PSA controller to, in response to the indication and when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the AC line power source, electrically disconnect the power storage adapter from the AC line power source.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the indication may be a peak shift message from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the PSA port.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the indication may be a peak shift message from an entity associated with the AC line power source, and the peak shift message may be received using an Ethernet port coupled to the PSA port, and the power storage adapter may further include a second PSA port.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the instructions may further include instructions executable by the PSA controller to receive a second indication of termination of the peak shift and in response to the second indication, electrically connect the power storage adapter to the AC line power source.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the indication may further specify a duration of time of the peak shift.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the second indication may be received from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the PSA port.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the instructions may further include instructions executable by the PSA controller to monitor the state of charge of the PSA battery and in response to determining that the state of charge is less than or equal to a recharging state of charge, electrically connect the power storage adapter to the AC line power source.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the PSA controller may utilize a common protocol layer for communication with the information handling system, where the common protocol layer may be a universal serial bus (USB) power delivery protocol layer.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the instructions to electrically disconnect the PSA from the AC line power source may further include instructions to power off an AC/DC converter included with the power storage adapter.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the PSA, the PSA port may be a USB Type-C port.

In another aspect, a disclosed method for peak shift operation in a power storage adapter with a portable information handling system may include receiving, by a PSA controller of a power storage adapter, an indication of a peak shift associated with an AC line power source of the power storage adapter, the indication specifying that the power storage adapter may cease drawing electrical power from the AC line power source. The method may also include determining, by the PSA controller, that a state of charge (SOC) of a PSA battery of the power storage adapter may be greater than a recharging state of charge. The method may further include, in response to the indication and when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the AC line power source, electrically disconnecting, by the PSA controller, the power storage adapter from the AC line power source.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the indication may be a peak shift message from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the PSA port.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the indication may be a peak shift message from an entity associated with the AC line power source, and the peak shift message may be received using an Ethernet port coupled to the PSA port, and the power storage adapter may further include a second PSA port.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the method may further include receiving a second indication of termination of the peak shift, and, in response to the second indication, electrically connecting the power storage adapter to the AC line power source.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the indication may further specify a duration of time of the peak shift.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the second indication may be received from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the PSA port.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the method may also include monitoring the state of charge of the PSA battery, and, in response to determining that the state of charge is less than or equal to a recharging state of charge, electrically connecting the power storage adapter to the AC line power source.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the PSA controller may utilize a common protocol layer for communication with the information handling system, where the common protocol layer may be a universal serial bus (USB) power delivery protocol layer.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, electrically disconnecting the PSA from the AC line power source may further include powering off an AC/DC converter included with the power storage adapter.

In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the PSA port may be a USB Type-C port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of a portable information handling system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of selected elements of an embodiment of a portable information handling system with an external power storage adapter;

FIG. 3 is a plot showing selected elements of a charging curve for an information handling system battery;

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a power storage adapter state machine for peak shift operation in a power storage adapter with a portable information handling system; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of selected elements of an embodiment of a method for peak shift operation in a power storage adapter with a portable information handling system.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENT(S)

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that the disclosed embodiments are exemplary and not exhaustive of all possible embodiments.

As used herein, a hyphenated form of a reference numeral refers to a specific instance of an element and the un-hyphenated form of the reference numeral refers to the collective or generic element. Thus, for example, widget “72-1” refers to an instance of a widget class, which may be referred to collectively as widgets “72” and any one of which may be referred to generically as a widget “72”.

For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include an instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize various forms of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network storage device, or another suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components or the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communication between the various hardware components.

For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include an instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory (SSD); as well as communications media such wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic or optical carriers; or any combination of the foregoing.

Particular embodiments are best understood by reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wherein like numbers are used to indicate like and corresponding parts.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting selected elements of an embodiment of portable information handling system 100. It is noted that FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale but is a schematic illustration. In various embodiments, portable information handling system 100 may represent different types of portable devices. A portable device may generally be any device that a user may carry for handheld use and that includes a processor. Typically, portable devices are powered using a rechargeable battery. Examples of portable information handling system 100 may include laptop computers, notebook computers, netbook computers, tablet computers, and 2-in-1 tablet laptop combination computers, among others. In some instances, portable information handling system 100 may represent certain personal mobile devices, and may further include examples such as media players, personal data assistants, digital cameras, cellular phones, cordless phones, smart phones, and other cellular network devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, components of information handling system 100 may include, but are not limited to, a processor subsystem 120, which may comprise one or more processors, and a system bus 121 that communicatively couples various system components to processor subsystem 120 including, for example, a memory 130, an I/O subsystem 140, local storage resource 150, and a network interface 160. Also shown within information handling system 100 is embedded controller 180 and an internal battery management unit (BMU) 170-1 that manages an internal battery 171. Furthermore, information handling system 100 is shown removably coupled to a power storage adapter 172 that incorporates various high efficiency features for use with portable information handling system 100, as disclosed herein. As shown, power storage adapter 172 may be an external device to portable information handling system 100 and may be coupled to portable information handling system 100 using a variable power bus 142, for example, using an appropriate connector, as described in further detail below.

As depicted in FIG. 1, processor subsystem 120 may comprise a system, device, or apparatus operable to interpret and execute program instructions and process data, and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and execute program instructions and process data. In some embodiments, processor subsystem 120 may interpret and execute program instructions and process data stored locally (e.g., in memory 130). In the same or alternative embodiments, processor subsystem 120 may interpret and execute program instructions and process data stored remotely (e.g., in a network storage resource).

In FIG. 1, system bus 121 may represent a variety of suitable types of bus structures, e.g., a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using various bus architectures in selected embodiments. For example, such architectures may include, but are not limited to, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus, HyperTransport (HT) bus, and Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus.

Also in FIG. 1, memory 130 may comprise a system, device, or apparatus operable to retain and retrieve program instructions and data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). Memory 130 may comprise random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flash memory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage or a suitable selection or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retains data after power is removed. In FIG. 1, memory 130 is shown including an operating system (OS) 132, which may represent an execution environment for portable information handling system 100. Operating system 132 may be UNIX or be based on UNIX (e.g., a LINUX variant), one of a number of variants of Microsoft Windows® operating systems, a mobile device operating system (e.g., Google Android™ platform, Apple® iOS, among others), an Apple® MacOS operating system, an embedded operating system, a gaming operating system, or another suitable operating system.

In FIG. 1, local storage resource 150 may comprise computer-readable media (e.g., hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, and other type of rotating storage media, flash memory, EEPROM, or another type of solid state storage media) and may be generally operable to store instructions and data, and to permit access to stored instructions and data on demand.

In FIG. 1, network interface 160 may be a suitable system, apparatus, or device operable to serve as an interface between information handling system 100 and a network (not shown). Network interface 160 may enable information handling system 100 to communicate over the network using a suitable transmission protocol or standard. In some embodiments, network interface 160 may be communicatively coupled via the network to a network storage resource (not shown). The network coupled to network interface 160 may be implemented as, or may be a part of, a storage area network (SAN), personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an intranet, the Internet or another appropriate architecture or system that facilitates the communication of signals, data and messages (generally referred to as data). The network coupled to network interface 160 may transmit data using a desired storage or communication protocol, including, but not limited to, Fibre Channel, Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet protocol (IP), other packet-based protocol, small computer system interface (SCSI), Internet SCSI (iSCSI), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or another transport that operates with the SCSI protocol, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA (SATA), advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI), serial storage architecture (SSA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), or any combination thereof. The network coupled to network interface 160 or various components associated therewith may be implemented using hardware, software, or any combination thereof.

In information handling system 100, I/O subsystem 140 may comprise a system, device, or apparatus generally operable to receive and transmit data to or from or within information handling system 100. I/O subsystem 140 may represent, for example, a variety of communication interfaces, graphics interfaces, video interfaces, user input interfaces, and peripheral interfaces. In various embodiments, I/O subsystem 140 may be used to support various peripheral devices, such as a touch panel, a display adapter, a keyboard, an accelerometer, a touch pad, a gyroscope, or a camera, among other examples. In some implementations, I/O subsystem 140 may support so-called ‘plug and play’ connectivity to external devices, in which the external devices may be added or removed while portable information handling system 100 is operating.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is embedded controller (EC) 180, which may include EC processor 182 as a second processor included within portable information handling system 100 for certain management tasks, including supporting communication and providing various functionality with respect to internal BMU 170-1. Thus, EC processor 182 may have access to EC memory 184, which may store EC firmware 186, representing instructions executable by EC processor 182.

In some embodiments, EC firmware 186 may include pre-boot instructions executable by EC processor 182. For example, EC firmware 186 may be operable to prepare information handling system 100 to boot by activating various hardware components in preparation of launching an operating system for execution. Accordingly, in some embodiments, EC firmware 186 may include a basic input/output system (BIOS). In certain embodiments, EC firmware 186 includes a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) according to a specification promulgated by the UEFI Forum (uefi.org). Embedded controller 180 may execute EC firmware 186 on EC processor 182 even when other components in information handling system 100 are inoperable or are powered down. Furthermore, EC firmware 186 may be in control of EC communication interface(s) 188, which may represent one or more input/output interfaces or signals that embedded controller 180 can use to communicate with other elements of information handling system 100, such as processor subsystem 120 or I/O subsystem 140, among others.

Also shown within embedded controller 180 is power control 148, which may be responsible for managing electrical power connections between power storage adapter 172, internal BMU 170-1, and to portable information handling system 100. In some embodiments, power control 148 may be implemented as a separate controller external to embedded controller 180. For example, when variable power bus 142 supplies electrical power to portable information handling system 100, power control 148 may determine whether the electrical power is used to charge internal battery 171 or to directly power portable information handling system 100. Power control 148 may also manage so-called ‘soft start up’ of portable information handling system 100, such as when portable information handling system 100 awakes from a low power state, such as sleep mode, by determining a source of power during the low power state and managing operation of portable information handling system 100 during the low power state. Power control 148 may accordingly route electrical power and communicate with internal BMU 170-1 via DC power and control 144, which may represent suitable connections between embedded controller 180 and internal BMU 170-1, for example. It is noted that in some embodiments, at least certain portions of power control 148 may be implemented using EC firmware 186, such as specialized executable instructions for power management and control.

In particular embodiments, embedded controller 180 may support a variable power bus 142, which may represent a data bus that also carries and distributes electrical power to and from portable information handling system 100. In various embodiments, variable power bus 142 supports different levels of direct-current (DC) power that may be provided to certain peripherals connected to I/O subsystem 140. In particular embodiments, variable power bus 142 may be used to receive DC power from an external source, such as a power storage adapter 172. For example, the DC power received from the external source may be routed via DC power connection 144 to internal BMU 170-1 for purposes of charging internal battery 171 or otherwise powering portable information handling system 100.

In certain embodiments, variable power bus 142 is implemented according to an industry standard, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), which is developed and supported by the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. (USB IF, www.usb.org). In particular, variable power bus 142 may be implemented as a USB Type-C bus that may support different USB devices, such as USB Type-C devices with USB Type-C connectors. Accordingly, variable power bus 142 may support device detection, interface configuration, communication, and power delivery mechanisms according to the USB Type-C standard. The USB Type-C connector system allows the transport of data and electrical power (in the form of DC power) between various USB devices that are connected using USB Type-C ports and USB Type-C connectors. A USB device may be an information handling system, a peripheral device, a power device, among other types of USB devices, and may support more than one USB standard or generation, such as USB 1.0, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, or other versions. Furthermore, USB devices may also support one or more types of physical USB ports and corresponding connectors (i.e., receptacles and plugs), such as Type-A, Type-A SuperSpeed, Type-B, Type-B SuperSpeed, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, Micro-B, Micro-B SuperSpeed, and Type-C (also referred to as USB Type-C herein), among other variants. In one example, USB 3.1 Type-C cables may provide electronic functionality using an integrated semiconductor device with an identification function based on a configuration data channel and vendor-defined messages (VDMs) from a USB Power Delivery specification published by USB IF (http://www.usb.org/developers/powerdelivery/). Examples of source power rules governed by the USB Power Delivery Specification, revision 2.0, version 1.2 are given in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1
USB Power Delivery revision 2.0, version 1.2 source power rules.
Source Output	Current [A] at	Current [A] at	Current [A] at	Current [A] at
Power [W]	+5 V DC	+9 V DC	+15 V DC	+20 V DC
0.5 to 15	0.1 to 3.0	none	none	none
15 to 27	3.0 (15 W limit)	1.7 to 3.0	none	none
27 to 45	3.0 (15 W limit)	3.0 (27 W limit)	1.8 to 3.0	none
45 to 60	3.0 (15 W limit)	3.0 (27 W limit)	3.0 (45 W limit)	2.25 to 3.0
60 to 100	3.0 (15 W limit)	3.0 (27 W limit)	3.0 (45 W limit)	3.0 to 5.0

As shown in Table 1, USB Power Delivery defines four standardized voltage levels (+5V DC, +9V DC, +15V DC, and +20V DC), while power supplies may provide electrical power from 0.5 W to 100 W.

A USB device, such as a USB Type-C device, may provide multiple power ports that can individually transfer power in either direction and may accordingly be able to operate as a power source device, a power sink device, or both (dual-role power device). A USB device operating as a dual-role power device may operate as a power source or a power sink depending on what kinds of other USB devices are connected. In addition, each of the multiple power ports provided by the USB device may be a dual-role power port that is able to operate as either a power source port or a power sink port. For example, a USB Type-C bus, such as variable power bus 142, may support power delivery from a power source port of a power source USB device to a power sink port of a power sink USB device, while simultaneously supporting bidirectional USB data transport. The power source port of the power source USB device and the power sink port of the power sink USB device form a power port pair. Each of the other power ports provided by the USB device may form other power port pairs of other USB dual-role power devices.

According to the USB Power Delivery Specification, USB Type-C devices may perform a negotiation process to negotiate and establish a power contract for a particular power port pair that specifies a level of DC power that is transferred using USB. For example, a USB Type-C device may negotiate a power contract with another USB device for a level of DC power that is supported by a power port pair of both devices, where one power port is a power source port of the USB Type-C device and the other power port is a power sink port of the other USB device. The power contract for power delivery and consumption may represent an agreement reached between the power source device and the power sink device for the power port pair. While operating in Power Delivery mode, the power contract for the power port pair will generally remain in effect unless altered by a re-negotiation process, a USB soft reset, a USB hard reset, a removal of power by a power source, a failure of the power source, or a USB role swap (such as between power source and power sink devices), as specified in detail by USB IF. When a particular power contract is in place, additional power contracts can be established between another power port of the power source device and a power port of another power sink device.

According to the USB Power Delivery specification, the negotiation process may begin with the power source device detecting an attachment of a USB device operating as a power sink to a power port of the power source device. In response to the detection of the attachment at the respective USB ports, the power source device may communicate a set of supported capabilities including power levels, voltage levels, current levels, and direction of power flow of the power port of the power source device by sending the set of supported capabilities to the power sink over the USB connection. In response to receiving the set of supported capabilities, the power sink device may request one of the communicated capabilities by sending a request message to the power source device. In response to receiving the request message, the power source device may accept the request by sending an accept message and by establishing a power source output corresponding to the request. The power contract for the power port pair may be considered established and in effect when the power source device sends the accept message to the power sink device, which ends the negotiation process. A re-negotiation process may occur in a similar manner when a power contract is already in effect.

During the negotiation process, a power sink USB device that may be unable to fully operate at any of the communicated capabilities may request a default capability but indicate that the power sink USB device would prefer another power level. In response to receiving the default capability request, the power source device may accept the default capability request by storing the power sink USB device's preferred power level, sending an accept message, and by establishing a power source output corresponding to the default capability request.

During the various negotiation processes described above for USB Power Delivery, the negotiation may fail when a request is not accepted, and may result in no power contract being established. For example, the power sink USB device and the power source USB device may have timeouts for pending requests, or other communications, to a respective counterparty. When a counterparty does not respond within the timeout, a pending request or other communication may fail. It is also noted that in some embodiments, a power delivery contract for zero electrical power may be established, such that no power is transferred but the power port pair remains connected over the USB connection.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of portable information handling system 100 and power storage adapter 172 may include a battery management unit (BMU) 170 that controls operation of a respective battery. In particular implementations, BMU 170 may be embedded within a respective battery whose operation BMU 170 controls. For example, internal BMU 170-1 within portable information handling system 100 may control operation of an internal battery 171, while PSA BMU 170-2 within power storage adapter 172 may control operation of a PSA battery 174. More specifically, BMU 170-1 may monitor information associated with, and control charging operations of, internal battery 171, while BMU 170-2 may monitor information associated with, and control charging operations of, PSA battery 174. In operation, each BMU 170 may control operation of a respective battery to enable sustained operation, such as by protecting the battery. Protection of the battery by BMU 170 may comprise preventing the battery from operating outside of safe operating conditions, which may be defined in terms of certain allowable voltage and current ranges over which the battery can be expected to operate without causing self-damage. For example, the BMU 170 may modify various parameters in order to prevent an over-current condition (whether in a charging or discharging mode), an over-voltage condition during charging, an under-voltage condition while discharging, or an over-temperature condition, among other potentially damaging conditions.

As used herein, “top-of-charge voltage” (or “TOC” voltage) refers to a voltage threshold used during a charge cycle of a battery to determine a 100% charge level. It is noted that the top-of-charge voltage set on a given battery may be lower than a “maximum charge voltage”, which may specify a maximum voltage that a given battery having a given battery chemistry can safely endure during charging without damage. As used herein, the terms “state of charge”, “SOC”, or “charge level” refer to an actual charge level of a battery, from 0% to 100%, for example, based on the currently applied top-of-charge voltage. The SOC may be correlated to an actual voltage level of the battery, for example, depending on a particular battery chemistry.

In some embodiments, a battery (such as internal battery 171 or PSA battery 174 illustrated in FIG. 1) may be considered to be discharged when an SOC of the battery corresponds to an SOC that is below a predetermined threshold percentage or amount below the 100% charge level given by the TOC voltage, such as below a 5% charge level in one example. A battery may be considered to be charged, i.e., at least partially charged, when the SOC for the battery corresponds to an SOC that is above a first predetermined threshold percentage or amount below the 100% charge level given by the TOC voltage, such as above the 25% charge level in one example. A battery may be considered to be fully charged when the SOC of the battery corresponds to an SOC that is above a second predetermined threshold percentage or amount below the 100% charge level given by the TOC voltage, such as above the 95% charge level for example. A battery may be considered to be at least partially discharged when the SOC of the battery corresponds to an SOC that is below the 100% charge level. The parameters for specifying an SOC described above are examples and may be modified using different values in different embodiments.

In various embodiments, a battery (such as internal battery 171 or PSA battery 174 illustrated in FIG. 1) may include one or more cells having a particular chemistry in a particular cell configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the battery may include four Lithium-ion cells in a two parallel-two serial (2S-2P) configuration. In other embodiments, the battery may include a different number of cells or may include multiple cells in a different configuration. For example, the battery may include three or more cells in various configurations. In some embodiments, the battery may include one or more cells based on any one of a variety of Lithium-ion electrochemistries, or one or more cells based a different electrochemistry than Lithium-ion.

As shown in FIG. 1, power storage adapter 172 may be designed to removably couple to portable information handling system 100 using variable power bus 142. For example, variable power bus 142 may include power connections for electrically coupling power storage adapter 172 to portable information handling system 100 as an external load on power storage adapter 172. Variable power bus 142 may also include a communication link to enable power storage adapter 172 to communicate with portable information handling system 100, such as via embedded controller 180. For example, power storage adapter 172 may communicate battery data collected locally at power storage adapter 172 to portable information handling system 100 over a communication link within variable power bus 142. In other embodiments, there may be a communication link between power storage adapter 172 and portable information handling system 100 that is separate from variable power bus 142 instead of, or in addition to, a communication link that is part of variable power bus 142. In some embodiments, a communication link between power storage adapter 172 and portable information handling system 100, or DC power and control 144, may operate in accordance with a System Management Bus (SMBus) protocol for sending and receiving data. As noted above, in particular embodiments, variable power bus 142 is compatible with USB Type-C and may be implemented according to USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery specifications promulgated by USB IF.

In various embodiments, each of internal battery 171 or PSA battery 174 may include at least certain portions of a main power circuit across positive and negative terminals, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, one or more battery cells, a fuse, and a power switch (not shown). The current sensor may represent a shunt resistor, or other current sensing element, over which a voltage that is directly proportional to the current flowing through the main power circuit is measured. The battery cells may store and output electrical energy based on a given electrochemical composition internal to the battery cells. The voltage sensor may enable voltage measurement of individual battery cells, or measurement of an aggregate voltage for the battery including all battery cells operating together. The temperature sensor may be located in proximity to the battery cells to provide an accurate indication of a temperature within the battery. The fuse may be a safety element for limiting current flowing through the main power circuit. The power switch may be an electronically controlled switching element that closes or opens the main power circuit, and thereby allows the battery to operate for charging or discharging.

In FIG. 1, each BMU 170 may include a charging unit (see FIG. 2, charging unit 246) that may control charging cycles for a battery and may apply a TOC voltage as a threshold to determine when charging is complete as the battery voltage increases during charging. The TOC voltage may be lower than or equal to the maximum charge voltage that the battery can physically sustain, in different embodiments. Depending on the actual value for the TOC voltage, a given energy capacity may be stored using the battery. BMU 170 may also be enabled to obtain various types of information associated with a battery and to make decisions according to the obtained information. For example, each BMU 170 may monitor various charging-related parameters or other operating parameters received from one or more batteries, including parameters received from a local battery or parameters received from a remote battery over variable power bus 142.

In some embodiments, parameters monitored by a BMU 170 may include a charging current, a voltage, and a temperature associated with a battery. More specifically, the parameters monitored by the BMU 170 may include any or all of the cell configuration and chemistry of battery cells within the battery, the total voltage of the battery, the voltages of individual battery cells, minimum or maximum cell voltages, the average temperature of the battery as a whole, the temperatures of individual battery cells, the SOC of the battery, the depth of discharge of the battery, the current flowing into the battery, the current flowing out of the battery, and any other measurement of the overall condition of the battery, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, monitoring the SOC may include continuous or periodic monitoring of battery output current, voltage, or both. In some cases, Coulomb counting, in which the charge delivered or stored by a battery is tracked, is used for battery monitoring. In some embodiments, a battery temperature may be monitored through the use of periodic voltage measurements, a thermometer, or any other method to detect or correct for variations in temperature. In some embodiments, at least some of the parameters monitored by BMU 170 may be used internally by BMU 170 for internal battery management operations. In some embodiments, at least some of the parameters monitored by BMU 170 may be provided to another device, such as information associated with PSA battery 174 that is provided to or obtained by PSA BMU 170-2 on power storage adapter 172, and which may be provided to portable information handling system 100 over variable power bus 142.

In some embodiments, BMU 170 may calculate additional values, based on the monitored battery parameters or other information obtained from a battery, for example, in order to make decisions related to the charging and operation of the battery. For example, BMU 170 may calculate any or all of a charge current limit (CCL), a discharge current limit (DCL), a total amount of energy delivered, an amount of energy delivered since the last charge, an amount of charge delivered or stored, a number of charging cycles, a total operating time, and an operating time since the last charge. In some embodiments, BMU 170, or another component of portable information handling system 100 or power storage adapter 172, may analyze and compare monitored parameter values to historic values or predicted models relative to an SOC of the battery, and may calculate the remaining battery life. Remaining battery life may refer to a duration or a fraction of a time period remaining that a battery may safely provide electrical power, an amount or a fraction of a voltage drop remaining over which a battery may safely provide electrical power, or an amount or fraction of a discharge capacity remaining that a battery may safely provide electrical power. Based on the obtained and calculated values, BMU 170 may detect various alert conditions associated with a battery, conditions such as battery charge full, battery charge empty, battery charging, battery discharging, battery over temperature, battery over current, other battery system status conditions, or various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, information indicating an alert condition for PSA battery 174 that is detected by PSA BMU 170-2 on power storage adapter 172 may be provided to portable information handling system 100 over variable power bus 142.

In various embodiments, BMU 170 may further include a DC boost converter (see FIG. 2, DC boost converter 248) that is capable of boosting the voltage provided by the cells within a battery. The DC boost converter may be externally controlled to provide a desired boost voltage output from the battery, such as in response to a control signal or other trigger condition. Because the internal output voltage of the battery may be constrained by the particular battery electrochemistry used to implement the cells, the DC boost converter may enable the battery to output a higher voltage, as desired. In some embodiments, the DC boost converter may be a buck-boost type converter that can step up or step down an input DC voltage.

In some embodiments, embedded controller 180 may implement a voltage control module that senses the current drawn by an electrical load and provides a control signal to BMU 170-1 based on the current drawn by the electrical load. For example, the voltage control module may be implemented as executable code stored by EC memory 184, while the electrical load may be information handling system 100, or portions thereof. It may be advantageous, for example, to provide a higher voltage to the electrical load in order to minimize the power dissipated by losses incurred in transmitting current from internal battery 171 to the electrical load. In another embodiment, the voltage control module may provide control signals in response to a voltage set signal. The voltage set signal may instruct the voltage control module to control BMU 170-1 to produce a particular voltage at the load. For example, the particular voltage level may allow the load to operate in a desired mode of operation. In one embodiment, the particular voltage level indicated by the voltage set signal may be higher than the voltage output by cells within a battery. BMU 170-1 may boost the voltage output by the cells to the voltage indicated by the voltage set signal.

For example, in some embodiments, a battery (such as internal battery 171 or PSA battery 174 illustrated in FIG. 1) may provide electrical power to the information handling system 100 at an output voltage controlled by its respective BMU 170. In some cases, portable information handling system 100 may provide load state information to the voltage control module. In some embodiments, the load state information may be based on the operating mode of the load, or on a desired future operating mode of the load. The voltage control module may determine a voltage level based on the load state information, and may provide voltage control information based on the determined voltage level to internal BMU 170-1 or PSA BMU 170-2. In one embodiment, voltage control information provided to PSA BMU 170-2 may specify the output voltage level of power storage adapter 172. In another embodiment, voltage control information provided to PSA BMU 170-2 may indicate a preferred voltage range for the output voltage level of power storage adapter 172. In yet another embodiment, voltage control information provided to PSA BMU 170-2 may indicate that the output voltage level of power storage adapter 172 should be increased or should be decreased.

In certain embodiments, BMU 170 may include a processor and memory (not shown). The memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform one or more of the methods described herein for obtaining and calculating values related to the operation and charging of a battery and for controlling the operation and charging of the battery. The memory may also store data, obtained and calculated values, thresholds, and parameters related to the methods described herein.

In FIG. 1, power storage adapter 172 is shown receiving AC line power 146 as an external power source. AC line power 146 may represent a connection to line power, such as using a standard line power cable. In some embodiments, AC line power 146 may be a removable connection, such as a cable that plugs into line power in a wall socket, and plugs into a corresponding receptacle included with power storage adapter 172. Also included within power storage adapter 172 in FIG. 2 is AC-DC converter 176. AC-DC converter 176 may receive alternating current (AC) from AC line power 146 and may output one or more DC voltages for supplying electrical power to other components in power storage adapter 172. For example, an output DC voltage from AC-DC converter 176 may be supplied to PSA battery 174 for charging purposes. An output DC voltage from AC-DC converter 176 may be supplied to a DC-DC converter 178, which may then generate one or more other DC voltages. Also, an output DC voltage from AC-DC converter 176 may be directly supplied to variable power bus 142, such as to fulfil a power contract, as described above. Additional details of power storage adapter 172 are described below with respect to FIG. 2.

As will be described in further detail herein, in operation, power storage adapter 172 may be connected to AC line power 146 source and connected to portable information handling system 100, which may be supplying electrical power from AC line power 146 source to portable information handling system 100. Portable information handling system 100 may receive an indication of a peak shift specifying that portable information handling system 100 is to reduce electrical power consumption by ceasing to draw electrical power from an external AC line power source and switching to draw electrical power from internal battery 171. The indication of the peak shift may also specify a duration of time of the peak shift, the time of day the peak shift is to occur, a repetition count and repetition interval, e.g. during a time of day where there is high power demand or the peak shift is to be repeated every day during a particular time of day and the like, which may allow power storage adapter 172 to enter peak shift operation without waiting to receive an indication of a peak shift from portable information handling system 100 or from a network that may be connected to portable information handling system 100. This may allow power storage adapter 172 to enter peak shift operation when portable information handling system 100 may not support peak shift. In one or more embodiments, the indication of the peak shift may be a peak shift network command received from a network, such as the internet or a system network that may be connected to portable information handling system 100. In one or more embodiments, the indication of the peak shift may be a peak shift command received from portable information handling system 100. After the peak shift begins, portable information handling system 100 will draw electrical power from internal battery 171 until the peak shift ends. At that time, portable information handling system 100 may resume drawing electrical power from the external AC line power source. However, under certain conditions, power storage adapter 172 may not receive the indication of the peak shift and may continue to draw electrical power from AC line power 146 source to power one or more of its internal components, e.g. an external display element such as a light emitting diode (LED) device included with power storage adapter 172 indicating whether the PSA is powered on, even though portable information handling system 100 may only be drawing its electrical power from internal battery 171. Thus, power storage adapter 172 may continue to consume low levels of electrical power, e.g. 30 to 70 milliwatts, from AC line power 146 source, which would not reduce its electrical power consumption.

Therefore, when power storage adapter 172, using peak shift operation method, is receiving electrical power from AC line power 146 source and is connected to portable information handling system 100, power storage adapter 172 may, in conjunction with portable information handling system 100, receive an indication of a peak shift associated with AC line power 146 source, electrically disconnect AC line power 146 source from power storage adapter 172 and use PSA battery 174 to supply its electrical power instead. Power storage adapter 172 may send a peak shift operation message to portable information handling system 100 so that portable information handling system 100 knows that power storage adapter 172 is operating in a peak shift compliant manner. In one or more embodiments, portable information handling system 100 may not electrically disconnect power storage adapter 172 from portable information handling system 100 when it receives an indication of peak shift so that it may still draw electrical power from power storage adapter 172 as if it were still on a form of AC, which may extend system run time and have more capability. Further details of power storage adapter 172 using a low standby power method are described below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, selected elements of an embodiment of a system 200 with portable information handling system 100 and power storage adapter 172 are shown. FIG. 2 illustrates further internal details of power storage adapter 172. It is noted that FIG. 2 is not drawn to scale but is a schematic illustration. In various embodiments, power storage adapter 172 may be implemented using fewer or additional components than illustrated in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, power storage adapter 172 is coupled to portable information handling system 100 via variable power bus (VPB) 142, as described above with respect to FIG. 1. Additionally, power storage adapter 172 is also externally connected to AC line power 146, as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, power storage adapter 172 includes power sources 250, a DC-DC converter 178, a VPB controller 240, and two ports 230, as well as a PSA controller 221 comprising processor 220 and memory 224. As shown, power sources 250 comprise an AC-DC converter 176, a PSA battery 174, and a PSA BMU 170-2. In FIG. 2, PSA BMU 170-2 is shown including a charging unit 246 and a DC boost converter 248, while VPB controller 240 is shown including a power distributor 242 and a data hub 244. In some embodiments, DC boost converter 248 may include buck-boost DC conversion functionality to step up or step down an input DC voltage. VBP controller 240 is depicted in FIG. 2 in an implementation with two ports 230-1 and 230-2 that support variable power bus 142. As noted above, variable power bus 142 may be compatible with USB Type-C specifications promulgated by USB IF. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, port 230-1 may be a USB Type-C port. In different embodiments, port 230-1 may also be a USB Type-C port or another type of port, such as a USB Type-A port, among others. Although two ports 230 are shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 2, it will be understood that power storage adapter 172 may include fewer or more ports 230 in different embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 2, power storage adapter 172 includes PSA controller 221, which may perform various actions and functions. In some embodiments, PSA controller 221 is implemented using a custom integrated circuit, or a customizable integrated circuit, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, PSA controller 221 includes processor 220 and memory 224, which may store executable instructions (such as executable code) that may be executed by processor 220, which has access to memory 224. Processor 220 is typically implemented as an integrated circuit, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller, and is enabled to execute instructions that cause power storage adapter 172 to perform the functions and operations described herein. For the purposes of this disclosure, memory 224 may include non-transitory computer-readable media that stores data and instructions for at least a period of time. Memory 224 may comprise persistent and volatile media, fixed and removable media, and magnetic and semiconductor media. Memory 224 may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk (CD), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or flash memory, non-transitory media, or various combinations of the foregoing. Memory 224 is operable to store instructions, data, or both. Memory 224 may store sets or sequences of instructions that may represent executable computer programs for implementing various functionality provided by power storage adapter 172.

The functionality and implementation details of certain elements in power storage adapter 172, such as AC-DC converter 176, PSA battery 174, PSA BMU 170-2, and DC-DC converter 178, are described above with respect to FIG. 1.

As shown, VPB controller 240 may include power distributor 242, which may represent various electronic components that enable distribution of DC power with respect to variable power bus 142 via ports 230. Specifically, power distributor 242 may receive at least one DC power input from DC-DC converter 178. Power distributor 242 may route or switch power connections to respective ports 230, for example, to enable fulfillment of a power contract, as described above. A power contract established by VPB controller 240, such as according to a USB Power Delivery Specification, may govern the supply of DC power to portable information handling system 100 via port 230-1. VPB controller 240 may also establish another power contract to supply DC power to another device coupled to port 230-2. In some embodiments, VPB controller 240 supplies DC power to both port 230-1 and port 230-2. Power distributor 242 may supply different DC voltages for output power at different ports 230. In particular embodiments, power distributor 242 supplies a different DC voltage to port 230-1 than to port 230-2.

In FIG. 2, data hub 244 may represent electronic functionality to manage various VPB connections over variable power bus 142. Specifically, data hub 244 may control operation of power distributor 242 and may, in turn, be controlled by PSA controller 221, such as by executable code (not shown) stored in memory 224 and executed by processor 220. Additionally, data hub 244 may store state information for each respective port 230, such as USB state information. For example, data hub 244 may store information associated with power contracts that power storage adapter 172 has established or is in the process of negotiating. Accordingly, data hub 244 may store various information about different VPB devices connected to power storage adapter 172 via ports 230. As used herein, the phrase “power consuming device” may refer to any system, apparatus, or device consuming the electrical power provided by a battery. For example, a portable information handling system may consume power for components such as one or more displays, processors, storage media, memory, or other components.

In the illustrated embodiment, charging unit 246 of BMU 170-2 may draw electrical power from AC-DC converter 176, and may, in turn output a charging voltage and charging current suitable to charge the cells of PSA battery 174. The charging voltage and the charging current demands of the battery may be dependent on an electrochemistry or a cell configuration of the battery cells. The charging of the battery may be limited by the current supply capability of the DC source. In some embodiments, the DC source may be AC-DC converter 176. Once the battery reaches 100% state of charge, BMU 170-2 may stop drawing current from the AC-DC converter 176. When a boost source of power is desired, charging unit 246 may also be enabled to supply electrical from PSA battery 174, which is then boosted to a desired output voltage by DC boost converter 248.

In some embodiments, portable information handling system 100 may communicate with power storage adapter 172 to instruct PSA BMU 170-2 to charge the battery cells of PSA battery 174. As previously noted, PSA BMU 170-2 may send information to portable information handling system 100, such as the cell configuration, the state of charge of the battery, or other information. Portable information handling system 100 may communicate with PSA BMU 170-2 using a system management bus (not shown), for example System Management Bus (SMBus) promulgated by SBS Implementers Forum (www.smbus.org), in some embodiments.

In operation for a peak shift operation method, PSA controller 221 may determine that power storage adapter 172 may be connected to AC line power 146 source and drawing electrical power from that power source. PSA controller 221 may be connected to portable information handling system 100, which may be supplying electrical power from AC line power 146 source to portable information handling system 100. Portable information handling system 100 may receive an indication of a peak shift specifying that portable information handling system 100 is to reduce electrical power consumption by ceasing to draw electrical power from an external AC line power source and switching to draw electrical power from internal battery 171. After the peak shift begins, portable information handling system 100 will draw electrical power from internal battery 171 until the peak shift ends. However, under certain conditions, power storage adapter 172 may not receive the indication of the peak shift and may continue to draw electrical power from AC line power 146 source to power one or more of its internal components, e.g. an external display element such as a light emitting diode (LED) device included with power storage adapter 172 indicating whether the PSA is powered on. Thus, power storage adapter 172 may continue to consume low levels of electrical power, e.g. 30 to 70 milliwatts, from AC line power 146 source, which would not reduce its electrical power consumption.

Therefore, when power storage adapter 172 is using peak shift operation method, PSA controller 221 may receive an indication of a peak shift associated with AC line power 146 source, the indication specifying that power storage adapter 172 may cease drawing electrical power from AC line power 146 source. The indication may be a peak shift message from embedded controller 180 of portable information handling system 100 coupled to PSA port 230-1 of power storage adapter 172. PSA controller 221 may monitor a state of charge of PSA battery 174. PSA controller 221 may determine whether the monitored state of charge of PSA battery 174 is greater than a recharging state of charge. When the state of charge of PSA battery 174 is greater than a recharging state of charge, PSA battery 174 may be an available power source. In response to the indication of the peak shift mode, that power storage adapter 174 is electrically connected to AC line power 146 source, and PSA battery 174 is an available power source, PSA controller 221 may electrically disconnect power storage adapter 174 from AC line power 146 source and begin supplying electrical power from PSA battery 174 to portable information handling system 100 coupled via PSA port 230-1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a charging curve 300 for a battery, such as internal battery 171 or PSA battery 174. Charging curve 300 is schematically illustrated and is not drawn to scale or perspective. Charging curve 300 may be implemented by BMU 170, for example, using charging unit 246 (see FIG. 2). Charging curve 300 depicts how a charging current 302 and a charging voltage 304 respond over time to various conditions. Specifically, at time 310, it is assumed that the battery is discharged and is charged by supplying charging current 302 that is constant, given by Imax, which is a maximum charging current. In the constant current charging regime between time 310 and time 312, charging voltage 304 may increase from a low value to a higher value as the SOC for the battery increases. At time 312, charging voltage 304 may approach a maximum value, given by Vmax, and may remain constant after time 312. At about time 312, meanwhile, charging current 302 may begin to decrease as the SOC for the battery increases at a lower rate. After time 312, in a constant voltage charging regime, charging current 302 may taper off until at some point, the SOC approaches a maximum value, and no further charging occurs.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a boost charging voltage 306. Specifically, charging unit 246 may apply boost charging voltage 306 to improve a charging efficiency, for example, by reducing an amount of electrical power consumed during charging, as compared with supplying constant charging voltage Vmax.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a power supply adapter state machine 400 is illustrated. Power supply adapter state machine 400 describes states of power storage adapter 172 for performing a peak shift operation method, as described herein. In various embodiments, the peak shift operation method described herein may be implemented with fewer or more elements than depicted in power supply adapter state machine 400.

In power supply adapter state machine 400, states 402 represent certain power states of power storage adapter 172 when connected to AC line power 146 and connected to portable information handling system 100 using PSA port 230-1. PSA port 230-1 may be a USB Type-C port. Prior to state 402-1, in some embodiments, power storage adapter 172 may establish a power delivery contract with portable information handling system 100 for a nominal amount of power, such as 30 Watts, in one example, as previously described with respect to FIG. 1. In some embodiments, embedded controller 180 of portable information handling system 100 may also use a peak shift operation method to allow it to perform peak shift operations with power storage adapter 172. For example, embedded controller 180 will not electrically disconnect power storage adapter 172 from portable information handling system 100 when it receives a peak shift network command from network interface 160 so it may still draw electrical power from power storage adapter 172. Then, PSA controller 221 may determine whether power storage adapter 172 is connected to AC line power 146. When power storage adapter 172 determines that power storage adapter 172 is connected to AC line power 146, power storage adapter 172 may begin supplying electrical power from AC line power 146 to portable information handling system 100 using PSA port 230-1. Then, power storage adapter 172 may enter state 402-1.

From state 402-1, PSA controller 221 may receive an indication of a peak shift associated with AC line power 146 of power storage adapter 146, the indication specifying that power storage adapter 172 may cease drawing electrical power from the AC line power source. In one or more embodiments, the indication may be a peak shift message from embedded controller 180 of portable information handling system 100 coupled to PSA port 230-1 of power storage adapter 172. In some embodiments, the indication may be a peak shift message from an entity associated with AC line power 146, and the peak shift message may be received using an Ethernet port coupled to PSA port 230-2 of power storage adapter 172. In one or more embodiments, power storage adapter 172 may have already established a particular time of day, a particular duration of time, a particular repetition count and interval, that power storage 172 may enter peak shift operation from a previously received indication of a peak shift associated with AC line power 146 of power storage adapter 146, which may allow power storage adapter 172 to enter peak shift operation directly without receiving other indications of a peak shift. From state 402-1, PSA controller 221 may monitor a state of charge of PSA battery 174, which may be performed by BMU 170, as previously described. From state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may determine whether the SOC of PSA battery 174 is greater than a recharging state of charge, which may be a SOC of about 90% for example. From state 402-2, in response to the indication, the determination that the SOC of PSA battery 174 is greater than a recharging state of charge, and when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the AC line power source, PSA controller 221 may electrically disconnect power storage adapter 172 from AC line power 174, at action 404-1, PSA controller 221 may begin supplying electrical power to portable information handling system 100 using PSA battery 174 and enter state 402-2. In some embodiments, PSA controller 221 may electrically disconnect a DC output from AC/DC converter 176 to electrically disconnect power storage adapter 172 from AC line power 146. In certain embodiments, PSA controller 221 may power off AC/DC converter 176 to electrically disconnect power storage adapter 172 from AC line power 146. By entering state 402-2 from state 402-1, the peak shift operation to cease drawing electrical power from AC line power 146 has been completed.

From state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may receive a second indication of termination of the peak shift. From state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may determine whether power storage adapter 172 is connected to AC line power 146. In response to the second indication and the determination that power storage adapter 172 is connected to AC line power 146, PSA controller 221 may electrically connect power storage adapter 172 to AC line power 146, at action 406-1, PSA controller 221 may begin supplying electrical power to portable information handling system 100 using AC line power 146 and re-enter state 402-1. By entering state 402-1 from state 402-2, the peak shift operation to terminate the peak shift has been completed. In one or more embodiments, the second indication may be received by PSA controller 221 from embedded controller 180 of portable information handling system 100 coupled to PSA port 230-1.

In one or more embodiments, the indication may further specify a duration of time of the peak shift. For example, the indication may indicate that power storage adapter 172 is to go into peak shift mode for the next four hours during a time of day where there is high power demand. From state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may, in response to determining that the duration of time of the peak shift has been reached and that power storage adapter 172 is connected to AC line power 146, PSA controller 221 may electrically connect power storage adapter 172 to AC line power 146, at action 406-2, PSA controller 221 may begin supplying electrical power to portable information handling system 100 using AC line power 146 and re-enter state 402-1.

In one or more embodiments, from state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may monitor the SOC of PSA battery 174. From state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may determine whether the SOC of PSA battery 174 is less than or equal to the recharging state of charge. From state 402-2, PSA controller 221 may, in response to determining that the state of charge is less than or equal to the recharging state of charge and that power storage adapter 172 is connected to AC line power 146, electrically connect power storage adapter 172 to AC line power 146, at action 406-3, PSA controller 221 may begin recharging PSA battery 174 from AC line power 146 and re-enter state 402-1.

In one or more embodiments, from state 402-1, PSA controller 221 may monitor the SOC of PSA battery 174. From state 402-1, PSA controller 221 may determine whether the SOC of PSA battery 174 is greater than the recharging state of charge. From state 402-1, PSA controller 221 may, in response to determining that the state of charge is greater than the recharging state of charge, that PSA controller 221 has received the indication of the peak shift, that PSA controller 221 has not received a second indication of termination of the peak shift, and when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the AC line power source, electrically disconnect power storage adapter 172 from AC line power 174, at action 404-2, PSA controller 221 may begin supplying electrical power to portable information handling system 100 using PSA battery 174 and re-enter state 402-2.

In one or more embodiments, PSA controller 221 of power storage adapter 172 and embedded controller 180 of portable information handling system 100 may utilize a common protocol layer for communication between each other, where the common protocol layer may be a universal serial bus (USB) power delivery protocol layer.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart of selected elements of an embodiment of method 500 for peak shift operation in power storage adapter with a portable information handling system, as described herein, is depicted in flowchart form. Method 500 may be performed using power storage adapter 172 (see FIGS. 1, and 2), in conjunction with portable information handling system 100 and, in particular, by PSA controller 221. Method 500 may be performed when supplying electrical power from AC line power 146 to portable information handling system 100 via PSA port 230-1 and PSA controller 221 receives an indication of a peak shift associated with AC line power 146. It is noted that certain operations described in method 500 may be optional or may be rearranged in different embodiments.

Method 500 may begin at step 502 by receiving, by PSA controller 221 of power storage adapter 172, an indication of a peak shift associated with AC line power 146 of power storage adapter 172, the indication specifying that power storage adapter 172 may cease drawing electrical power from AC line power 146. The indication in step 502 may be a peak shift message from embedded controller 180 of portable information handling system 100 coupled to PSA port 230-1 of power storage adapter 172. At step 504, determining, by PSA controller 221, that a state of charge (SOC) of PSA battery 174 of power storage adapter 172 may be greater than a recharging state of charge. The determination of the SOC of PSA battery 174 in step 504 may be performed by BMU 170, as previously described. At step 506, in response to the indication and when power storage adapter 172 is electrically connected to AC line power 146, electrically disconnecting, by PSA controller 221, power storage adapter 172 from AC line power 146. Electrically disconnecting power storage adapter 172 from AC line power 146 in step 508 may be accomplished by one of the various methods performed by PSA controller 221, described above.

As disclosed herein, a power storage adapter may use a peak shift operation method when supplying electrical power from an AC line power source to a portable information handling system and the power storage adapter receives an indication of a peak shift associated with the AC line power source. In particular, the power storage adapter may cease drawing power from the AC line power source and begin supplying electrical power from a battery included with the power storage adapter to the portable information handling system.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A power storage adapter (psa), comprising:

a psa port;

a psa battery; and

a psa controller having access to memory media storing instructions executable by the psa controller to:

receive, at a first time, an indication of a peak shift associated with an alternating current (ac) line power source, the indication specifying that the power storage adapter is to cease drawing electrical power from the ac line power source, the indication additionally indicating a further time period when an additional peak shift is to occur;

determine that a state of charge of the psa battery is greater than a recharging state of charge;

in response to the indication and when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the ac line power source, enter a peak shift by electrically disconnecting the power storage adapter from the ac line power source;

determine, after electrically disconnecting the power storage adapter from the ac line power source, that the state of charge of the psa battery is less than the recharging state of charge, and in response, electrically connect the power storage adapter to the ac line power source;

in response to electrically connecting the power storage adapter to the ac line power source, terminate the peak shift of the ac line power source;

at a second time after terminating the peak shift of the ac line power source at the first time and during the further time period indicated by the previously received indication, entering the further peak shift of the ac line power source without receiving a further indication of the additional further peak shift associated with the ac line power source, including:

determine that the state of charge of the psa battery is greater than the recharging state of charge; and

when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the ac line power source, electrically disconnect the power storage adapter from the ac line power source.

2. The power storage adapter of claim 1, wherein the indication is a peak shift message from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the psa port.

3. The power storage adapter of claim 2, wherein the psa port is a USB Type-C port.

4. The power storage adapter of claim 1, wherein the indication is a peak shift message from an entity associated with the ac line power source, and wherein the peak shift message is received using an Ethernet port coupled to the psa port, and wherein the power storage adapter further comprises a second psa port.

5. The power storage adapter of claim 1, further comprising instructions to:

receive a second indication of termination of the peak shift; and

in response to the second indication, electrically connect the power storage adapter to the ac line power source.

6. The power storage adapter of claim 4, wherein the second indication is received from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the psa port.

7. The power storage adapter of claim 1, wherein the indication further specifies a duration of time of the peak shift.

8. The power storage adapter of claim 1, further comprising instructions to:

monitor the state of charge of the psa battery; and

in response to determining that the state of charge is less than or equal to a recharging state of charge, electrically connect the power storage adapter to the ac line power source.

9. The power storage adapter of claim 1, wherein the psa controller utilizes a common protocol layer for communication with the information handling system, wherein the common protocol layer is a universal serial bus (USB) power delivery protocol layer.

10. The power storage adapter of claim 1, wherein the instructions to electrically disconnect the psa from the ac line power source further include instructions to:

power off an ac/DC converter included with the power storage adapter.

11. A method for peak shift operation, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first time and by a psa controller of a power storage adapter, an indication of a peak shift associated with an ac line power source of the power storage adapter, the indication specifying that the power storage adapter is to cease drawing electrical power from the ac line power source, the indication additionally indicating a further time period when an additional peak shift is to occur;

determining, by the psa controller, that a state of charge of a psa battery of the power storage adapter is greater than a recharging state of charge;

in response to the indication and when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the ac line power source, entering a peak shift by electrically disconnecting, by the psa controller, the power storage adapter from the ac line power source;

determining, after electrically disconnecting the power storage adapter from the ac line power source, that the state of charge of the psa battery is less than the recharging state of charge, and in response, electrically connect the power storage adapter to the ac line power source;

in response to electrically connecting the power storage adapter to the ac line power source, terminating the peak shift of the ac line power source;

at a second time after terminating the peak shift of the ac line power source at the first time and during the further time period indicated by the previously received indication, entering the further peak shift of the ac line power source without receiving a further indication of the additional further peak shift associated with the ac line power source, including:

determining that the state of charge of the psa battery is greater than the recharging state of charge; and

when the power storage adapter is electrically connected to the ac line power source, electrically disconnecting the power storage adapter from the ac line power source.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indication is a peak shift message from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the psa port.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the psa port is a USB Type-C port.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the indication is a peak shift message from an entity associated with the ac line power source, and wherein the peak shift message is received using an Ethernet port coupled to the psa port, and wherein the power storage adapter further comprises a second psa port.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a second indication of termination of the peak shift; and

in response to the second indication, electrically connecting the power storage adapter to the ac line power source.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second indication is received from an embedded controller of an information handling system coupled to the psa port.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the indication further specifies a duration of time of the peak shift.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring the state of charge of the psa battery; and

in response to determining that the state of charge is less than or equal to a recharging state of charge, electrically connecting the power storage adapter to the ac line power source.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the psa controller utilizes a common protocol layer for communication with the information handling system, wherein the common protocol layer is a universal serial bus (USB) power delivery protocol layer.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein electrically disconnecting the psa from the ac line power source further includes:

powering off an ac/DC converter included with the power storage adapter.